Monday, July 20, 2009

UPDATE(31/07/2009) : Unfortunately this situation is out of my hands and due to the incompetence of the local telecommunications industry, it will be another 2 weeks probably until my internet connection is up and running. Apologies for this delay everyone.

Due to unforeseen circumstances the Hoop needs to take a 2 week break. It will be up and running again just after those 2 weeks and hopefully it will not take longer than that. Apologies to everyone and I hope to see you all back then. Take care.

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Demos Dikoudis(2.07-PF/C) is very close to signing with Aris Thessaloniki according to athlitikanea.gr. The greek forward/center was targeted by Aris now that they have more people involved in the administration of the team and it seems likely that the players' budget will be slightly higher than last season. Dikoudis and Hatzivrettas were teammates in Panathinaikos and the National Team of Greece so a possible reunion might seem favorable for Dikoudis.

Dikoudis is rumored to have an offer from a spanish team that is higher than the one that Aris has but he will be able to remain in Greece and have a starting five position in the team. Dikoudis played for Valencia, Panathinaikos, CSKA and AEK Athens in the past. This past season he averaged 10.7 points and 4.6 rebounds in 17 games for Panionios in the Greek A1 League.

Unicaja reached a new agreement with combo guard Joseph Gomis, who will stay in Malaga next season. Unicaja keeps an option to extend the deal until the end of the 2010-11 season. Gomis (180, 31) averaged 6.7 points and 1.8 assists in 14 Euroleague games last season. He helped Unicaja to make it to the Spanish King's Cup final and the Spanish League semifinals. Gomis has previously played for Valladolid, with whom he ranked second in the Spanish League in scoring in the 2007-08 season with 18 points per game in additon to 2.9 assists per game.

Gomis has split his career between his native France and Spain. He first spent six seasons with Evreux and two with Sluc Nancy, helping the latter win the Korac Cup in 2002. Gomis then moved to Spain and played two years at Breogan Lugo and then three for Valladolid.

According to the front page of greek sports newspaper "FOS" that is affiliated with the team of Olympiakos, Nate Robinson is considering to visit Greece for a couple of days in order to see how are things there and whether he would like the life in Greece if he were to play for the greek team. The offer that Nate Robinson has from Olympiakos comes up to 9 million dollars for 2 seasons and it's higher than the current 2.8 million dollar offer from the New York Knicks.

The newspaper says that this might also be a way to put pressure on the New York Knicks in order to improve their offer. The current consensus is that Robinson wants to stay in New York so he is using the offer from Olympiakos as leverage.

According to the majority of the greek media, Nikos Hatzivrettas(1.95-SG) has agreed to continue his career in Aris Thessaloniki. Hatzivrettas, who is currently 32 years old will be moving back to his hometown, Thessaloniki, by the looks of things and he will be taking up a more important role than he did in Panathinaikos. Reports say that Hatzivrettas will be one of the basic players of Aris with greatly increased playing time than what he had in Panathinaikos, even though Aris cannot offer him as much money as his former team. According to metrosport.gr the deal will be for 2 seasons and it will probably be announced until Tuesday.

It is rumored that the deal went sour when Panathinaikos offered him a 1+1 contract with a 400,000 euros salary but instead Hatzivrettas wanted a closed 2 season contract for a 1 million euros. Hatzivrettas averaged 5.2 points and 1.4 rebounds in 29 games in the greek A1 league playing for Panathinaikos. It seems that he had offers from Roma and a possible interest from other european teams but he preferred to stay in Greece.

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Asseco Prokom made its first moves for the upcoming 2009-10 season by extending point guard Daniel Ewing and small forward Qyntel Woods to respective one-year deals with the perennial Polish League champions.

Woods (203, 28) joined Prokom in February and averaged 12.2 points on 57.1% three-pointers and 3 rebounds in 5 Euroleague Top 16 games last season. He helped Prokom to win the Polish League title, earning MVP honors in the title series against PGE Turow. Woods arrived from Fortitudo Bologna, where he averaged 14.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists over 23 minutes in four Eurocup games this season. Prior to arriving in Italy last season, Woods played five seasons with Portland, Miami and New York of the NBA. He also played for Olympiacos in Greece, helping the team to reach the Euroleague Quarterfinal playoffs and the Greek League finals.

Meanwhile, Ewing (191, 26) averaged 13 points and 2.7 assists in 15 Euroleague games last season. His best game came against Sluc Nancy, as he scored 28 of his 32 points in the second half to lead Prokom to a 91-62 home win. Ewing has also played for Khimki in Russia, where he was the team's second-best scorer in ULEB Cup play and helped the club to make it to the Russian League finals. Previous to Khimki, Ewing had averaged 3.4 points, 1.4 assists and 13.3 minutes in a total of 127 regular-season NBA games over two seasons with the Los Angeles Clippers. As a collegian at Duke University, Ewing was named the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament MVP during his sophomore year and was an All-ACC Tournament First Team selection the following two seasons. He was named team captain in his final two seasons and was a starter as the squad reached the NCAA Final Four in 2004.

Le Mans officially announced the imminent signing of Marc Salyers(2.05-PF) via their website. The american power forward will be a player of Le Mans for the next season in their effort to regain the top of the French League.

Salyers was the top scorer of the Euroleague regular season playing for Roanne during season 2007-2008 and this past season he started playing for Azovmash. The financial troubles of Azovmash have forced him out of the club like other players before him. As a player of Azovmash he averaged 11.8 points and 4.5 rebounds in 12 games for the Ukrainian Superleague.

DKV Joventut improved its frontcourt for the upcoming 2009-10 season by inking Alain Koffi to a one-year deal, the club confirmed Saturday. Koffi (207, 25) arrives from Le Mans Sarthe Basket, where he averaged 9.6 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 10 Euroleague games last season. He helped Le Mans to win the French Cup and the Semaine des As titles.Koffi has played his entire career in Le Mans, making his debut with its first team in the 2002-03 season.

He lifted the 2004 French Cup title, as well as helping the team to win a historical double - French League and Semaine des As - in 2006. Koffi, an accomplished defensive player with outstanding physical skills, is also a member of the French national team and arrives to Badalona with three seasons of Eurocup experience. His best Euroleague game came last season, when Koffi had 15 points and 13 rebounds in his team's regular season road win against Olympiacos.

Nikos Hatzivrettas(1.95-SG) will not be renewing his contract with Panathinaikos. The greek veteran has been playing for Panathinaikos for the last 6 seasons but as of late the backcourt of Panathinaikos has become crowded and Hatzivrettas will not be getting anywhere near the playing that he used to get. He has been a long standing member of the National Team of Greece and has also played for CSKA Moscow under coach Dusan Ivkovic.

He released a statement in the press thanking everyone in Panathinaikos for 6 seasons full of great memories and titles. It is rumored that the deal went sour when Panathinaikos offered him a 1+1 contract with a 400,000 euros salary but instead Hatzivrettas wanted a closed 2 season contract for a 1 million euros. Hatzivrettas averaged 5.2 points and 1.4 rebounds in 29 games in the greek A1 league playing for Panathinaikos. The next stop in the career of Hatzivrettas is rumored to be either Aris Thessaloniki or Virtus Roma who appeared to have made him offers.

Marc Salyers(2.05-PF) confirmed on his facebook page that he will be playing for Le Mans in the next season. Salyers was bit taken aback by Roanne's decision to sign Dylan Page over himself and he warned previously that he would sign with Le Mans. And he did!

Salyers' own words: "In the 3yrs I've played in France, I've made it to the Finals with my team all 3yrs and won the Championship of France twice. Now, I'm pround to anounce that I'm going to play for Le Mans next year to win the Championship of France for the 3rd time!"

Salyers was the top scorer of the Euroleague regular season playing for Roanne during season 2007-2008 and this past season he started playing for Azovmash. The financial troubles of Azovmash have forced him out of the club like other players before him. As a player of Azovmash he averaged 11.8 points and 4.5 rebounds in 12 games for the Ukrainian Superleague.

Olympiakosannounced the signing of american guard/forward Thomas Kelati(1.95-SG/SF) via their official website. This might come as a surprising move from the greek team as Kelati(of Eritrean origin) is not the player people had in mind when the names of McIntyre or Robinson were parading throughout the media. On the other hand Kelati can cover both 2 and 3 positions, can play defense and can also shoot very effectively behind the arc, averaging 39.4% in his last Euroleague season playing for Malaga. The contract with Kelati is for 2 seasons.

Kelati, who was replaced by Taquan Dean in Malaga, graduated in 2005 from Washington State and then moved on to Belgium to play for Dexia Mons as his first pro contract. He then had 2 great seasons with Turow in Poland that got him noticed and signed with Malaga that he played for in this past season. He averaged 11.8 points 1.9 rebounds 1.3 assists and 1.3 steals in 16 games with Malaga. Kelati's fiance is polish and when they are married he can apply for the polish nationality. That will give him Bosman status in Europe and will also allow him to play for the National Team of Poland.

Tau Ceramica agreed to terms of a contract with small forward Walter Herrmann, who inked a two-year deal with the Euroleague powerhouse on Friday. Herrmann (206, 30) arrives from the Detroit Pistons, where he averaged 3.9 points and 1.8 rebounds in 60 NBA games last season.

He has previously played three Euroleague seasons with Unicaja, averaging 7.3 points and 1.6 rebounds in 15 games in the 2005-06 season. Herrmann has also played for the Charlotte Bobcats in the NBA, Fuenlabrada in Madrid, as well as for Atenas Cordoba and Olimpia Venado Tuerto in his native Argentina. He helped Unicaja to win a Spanish League title in 2006 and also lifted the Spanish King's Cup trophy in 2005. Herrmann is a regular member of the Argentinian national team. He helped Argentina to win the gold medal at the 2004 Olympic games in Athens, Greece, playing a crucial role in the semifinals against the United States. Herrmann also led Atenas to win the 2002 Argentinian League title, earning finals MVP honors.

Fuenlabradaannounced american point guard Chris Thomas(1.86-PG) for the next 3 seasons via their official website. Thomas is no stranger to the ACB as he was playing for Murcia the last 2 seasons. Thomas also owns a polish passport so he doesn't occupy the position of a foreign player.

Thomas graduated from Notre Dame in 2005 and then moved on to Fabriano in the LegaDue in Italy. After that he played in Greece for Maroussi and later he played for Anwil before moving to Murcia that he spent in, the last 2 seasons. This past season he averaged 10.8 points 3.3 rebounds and 5 assists in 31 games in the ACB.

Forward Ersan Ilyasova is returning to the Milwaukee Bucks after playing the past two seasons for Regal FC Barcelona in Spain. Basketball sources confirmed Thursday that Ilyasova and the Bucks have agreed on a three-year deal estimated at nearly $7 million, with a first-year salary of $2.1 million.

An unspecified buyout of Ilyasova’s contract with the Spanish club is required. The 6-foot-9 Ilyasova will add to Milwaukee's depth at the power forward position, following the departure of free agent Charlie Villanueva, who signed with the Detroit Pistons.

Ilyasova was a second-round pick for Milwaukee in the 2005 draft, selected 36th overall in the same draft that brought the Bucks the top overall pick, Andrew Bogut. Ilyasova did not play for the Bucks in his first year, instead spending time with Tulsa in the National Basketball Development League. He appeared in 66 games, including 14 starts, with the Bucks during the 2006-’07 season and averaged 6.1 points and 2.9 rebounds while playing 14.8 minutes per game. He was pressed into service in part due to injuries to a number of key players.

In his two years with Barcelona, particularly last season, Ilyasova grew stronger and became a solid rebounder and legitimate three-point shooting threat. He shot over 40% from three-point range in the ACB (Spanish) League during the past season and averaged 10.7 points and 7.6 rebounds. Ilyasova also helped his Barcelona team reach the final four of the Euroleague, although it lost in the semifinals.

Malaga announced the signing of american shooting guard Taquan Dean(1.90-SG) via their official website. Taquan Dean will be replacing Thomas Kelati and he is a prolific scorer with experience in the european courts.

Last season he played in Murcia averaging 16.7 points 2.8 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 31 games in the ACB. He has also played for Casale in the LegaDue in Italy, in Dynamo Moscow as a replacement for Travis Hansen and in Biella in Italy, that was his first pro contract after graduating from Louisville.

Friday, July 17, 2009

ASVEL Villeurbanneannounced the signing of lithuanian guard/forward Mindaugas Lukauskis(1.98-SG/SF) via their official website. Lukauskis will join Villeurbanne for the next 2 seasons.

He helped Lietuvos Rytas conquer the Lithuanian League, the Eurocup and the Baltic League. He also played for Sakalai and BC Alta in Lithuania but spent the most part of his career playing for Rytas. In the Eurocup he averaged 9.9 points 3.4 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 15 games whereas in the Baltic League he averaged 10.8 points 3.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 19 games. In the Lithuanian League 9.9 points 3.7 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 28 games.

Szczerbiak turns down Spain: A Spanish Web site reported that Cavs free-agent wing Wally Szczerbiak has turned down a contract offer from Real Madrid of the Euroleague.

Szczerbiak, who averaged 7.0 points, 3.1 rebounds and shot 45 percent in 74 games for the Cavs last year, spent several years in Spain as a child and speaks Spanish. His father played professionally in Spain and currently works as a scout for Spanish teams in the U.S.

The Cavs have been in contact with Szczerbiak during the free-agent period but have not offered him a contract.

Olympiakos today announced the lending of greek center Ian Vouyoukas(2.11-C) to the team of Panellinios for the next season. A few days ago the deal went sour because Olympiacos and Panellinios would not agree as to how will the player's salary will be paid.

Today the deal was finalised and Vouyoukas will be spending the last season of his contract with Olympiakos as a player of Panellinios. Vouyoukas who is a St. Louis graduate, and he didn't get much playing time this season. He averaged 5.5 points and 2.7 rebounds in 16 games.

Travis Hansen is Real Madrid basketball’s third signing for the 2009/10 season. The American small forward is a solid defender and has good range from beyond the arc. After one season playing for the Hawks in the NBA, Hansen packed his bags for Europe, where he spent two seasons with TAU Ceramica and the last three with Dynamo Moscow, where he coincided with new Real Madrid head coach, Ettore Messina.

After graduating from Mountain View High School, Hansen first played college basketball near his hometown of Orem, Utah at Utah Valley State College, where he averaged 11.2 ppg and 3.6 rpg. Following a two-year mission in Chile, Hansen played basketball for Brigham Young University. He averaged only 5.5 ppg and 3 rpg in his first year, but went on to become an all-star in his second with 15.6 ppg and 6.2 rpg.

In 2003 the Atlanta Hawks drafted Hansen in the second round. He only spent one season in the NBA, during which he averaged 12.4 mpg, 3 ppg and 1.7 rpg. In 2004/05 he crossed the Atlantic to sign for TAU Ceramica, who went on to win the 2005 Super Cup and the 2006 Copa del Rey. He averaged 10.5 ppg and 3.3 rpg in his last year in Vitoria before heading to Dynamo Moscow, who he played for during the last three seasons. In his final season prior to making the switch to Real Madrid, Hansen led the team in scoring in the Eurocup with 16.4 ppg, was second in performance points with 17.3 ppg and third in rebounding (4.6 rpg) and assists (3.1 apg).

The Minnesota Timberwolves cannot do much financially to help Ricky Rubio with a multimillion-dollar buyout of his contract with DKV Joventut in Spain. So team president David Kahn will head across the Atlantic next week to meet with the team personally in hopes of lowering the $6.6 million price tag that has threatened to keep the wunderkind point guard in Europe for at least next season.

Kahn confirmed his plans to travel to Spain in a text message to The Associated Press on Thursday, but declined further comment, including when the trip will take place. It was first reported by YahooSports.com.

The one thing holding him back appears to be money. Rubio made less than $100,000 playing for Joventut last season, so it is no surprise that the prospect of being on the hook for millions of dollars before he even plays a game in the United States would give him pause. Further complicating the matter is a rule in the NBA's collective bargaining agreement that stipulates the Timberwolves can only pay $500,000 of that large sum to help offset the cost.

Before joining the NBA, Kahn was an attorney at the law firm Proskauer Rose, the same firm that produced NBA commissioner David Stern. That experience could help him as the Timberwolves try to navigate what he has called "a thorny" legal issue.

"We will be totally supportive of Ricky and his family and (agent Dan) Fegan in any way, shape or form," Kahn said the day after Rubio was drafted. "If there's anything we can do to be of assistance or of help, as long as it is within the rules, we will."

Thursday, July 16, 2009

According to greek portal redplanet.gr, that is affiliated to the team of Olympiakos, Nate Robinson seems to have an official offer from the greek team. The offer is for 4.5 million dollars per season and it's for 2 seasons. The article says that Robinson was planning on getting an offer in the region of 7-8 million dollars but that appears to be very unlikely.

As a restricted free agent he will only get the 2.8 million dollars offer from the New York Knicks and by the looks of things the offer of Olympiakos is far better. Robinson, just like Chidlress can take advantage of his restricted free agent status and sign in Europe, although the Knicks would still retain his rights in the NBA.

Lithuanian portal krepsinis.net says that Kaspars Kambala(2.06-C) is in negotiations with Zalgiris Kaunas. Krepsinis.net says that they have spoken to Alti Sport and Kambala's agent Obrad Fimic but his reply was that he is negotiations with a few teams so he cannot really say anything about the subject. GM of Zalgiris, Paulius Motiejunas denied any negotiations with Kambala.

This season Kambala played for Krasnoyarsk in Russia where he even managed to score 42 points in a game against Lokomotiv Rostov. In his return to pro basketball after 2 years of absence, Kambala averaged 14.9 points and 5.8 rebounds in 16 games for Krasnoyarsk in the Russian Superleague.

According to basketsession.com, american power forward Marc Salyers(2.05-PF) is close to signing with Le Mans. Salyers wanted to return to Roanne, but instead they preferred Dylan Page. Salyers seems to have been saddened by that and that is what he wrote down on his Facebook page: "Sad Roanne could not wait for me to sign, I really wanted to go back, but understand it is a business. Now they may have to face me in Le Mans. "

Salyers was the top scorer of the Euroleague regular season playing for Roanne during season 2007-2008 and this past season he started playing for Azovmash. The financial troubles of Azovmash have forced him out of the club like other players before him. As a player of Azovmash he averaged 11.8 points and 4.5 rebounds in 12 games for the Ukrainian Superleague.

Maccabi Electra has come to terms with point guard Andrew Wisniewskion a two-year deal. Wisniewski (191, 27) arrives from Spartak St. Petersburg, where he averaged 12.9 points, 3.5 rebounds and 4 assists in 37 Russian League games last season, helping his team advance to the playoff semifinals. Wisniewski also reached the Russian League semifinals with Ural Great the previous season.

Maccabi will be Wisniewski's second Euroleague stop after playing seven games for Cibona in the 2006-07 campaign. He has also played for Snaidero Udine in Italy, Telekom Baskets Bonn in Germany and Crvena Zvezda in Serbia in recent years following a college basketball career at Centenary College. Wisniewski helped Cibona win the Croatian League title in 2007.

Bilbaoannounced french center Gerome Moiso(2.10-C) via their official website. The team of Bilbao add another quality transfer to their roster. Moiso adds considerable size and strength to the front-line of Bilbao as he is known for his physical game.

The experienced french center had a long career. Moiso was selected 11th overall in the 2000 NBA Draft by the Celtics in 2000. He played for 5 seasons in the NBA for Boston, New Orleans, Toronto, New Jersey and Cleveland. After that he went back to Europe where he played for Virtus Roma, Fortitudo and Badalona. Last season he started in Khimki but due to reduced playing time he returned to Badalona. He averaged 9 points 5 rebounds in 22 games in the ACB.

Eurocup champ Lietuvos Rytas has chosen Bojan Popovic to fill its point guard slot, signing the playmaker to a one-year deal. Popovic (191, 26) arrives from Spanish side Bruesa where he averaged 6.6 points and 2 assists per game last season. He has two years of Euroleague experience under his belt as well, including the 2006-07 campaign with Dynamo Moscow, when he started all 22 games, averaged 10.7 points and led the team to the Quarterfinal Playoffs.

Popovic grew up at FMP Zeleznik, where he made his professional debut and helped the club win the Serbian Cup twice and in 2004 reach the ULEB Cup semifinals and win the Adriatic League. He joined Dynamo in 2005 and helped the team win the ULEB Cup that season. After two years in Moscow, Popovic signed for Unicaja and later for Bruesa.

Prolific scorer Larry Ayuso(1.92-SG) was offered to greek team Ilisiakos according to superbasket.gr. Ilisiakos won their promotion by conquering the A2 league last season and the puerto-rican scorer was offered to them although his salary might be a bit "steep" for them. Ilisiakos belongs to one of the biggest players' agent in Greece, Tasos Delimpaltadakis so it might seem not so improbable for Ayuso to sign with them.

Ayuso has played for Zalgiris and Cibona in the Euroleague in the past and he is also a member of the National Team of Puerto Rico. This past season he started playing for Iowa in the NBDL and then moved on to Cangrejeros de Santurce averaging 21.4 points 2.9 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 32 games.

Tau Ceramica added more fire power for the upcoming 2009-10 season by inking shooting guard Carl English. Both parts reached an agreement to a one-year deal, with an option to extend it until the end of the 2010-11 season. English (192, 28) arrives from Kalise Gran Canaria, where he averaged 15.6 points and 2.8 assists in 6 Eurocup games last season, in which he helped his club to make it to the Spanish League playoffs.

English has also played for Zadar in Croatia, VidiVici Bologna in Italy, the Florida Flame, as well as for the North Charleston Lowgators in the D-league. English was the 2006-07 Adriatic League top scorer at 20.3 points per game playing for Zadar, to which he led to make it to the Croatian League finals. English is also a member of the Canadian national team.

According to diariodesevilla.es, Cajasol Sevilla and Aris Thessaloniki are very interested in signing combo guard Zabian Dowdell(1.91-PG/SG) that played last season for Casale Monferrato in LegaDue in Italy. Dowdell is the alternative target for Cajasol Sevilla in the case that Earl Calloway(1.91-PG) does not sign with them.

Dowdell played the season before for Nancy in France leading his team all the way to the title of the ProA and that was his first pro season after graduating from Virginia Tech in 2007. Before the NBA Draft, Dowdell played with the Tidewater Sealants in the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament, which is oldest amateur basketball tournament and the only postseason camp conducted for the top NCAA seniors only.

Dowdell then went undrafted in the 2007 NBA Draft. He was widely considered the best player to go unselected in draft . He is currently playing with Phoenix Suns team in Las Vegas trying to secure an NBA contract. Last season in Italy he averaged 19.5 points 3.9 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 37 games in total in LegaDue for Casale.

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

One of the best scorers of italian basketball and a basketball player until the age of 45, Mario Boni has returned to the team that loved him unlike any other. Mario Boni was announced today by the official website of Aris BC as part of the scouting team and in August he will be officially presented by the administration of Aris in a press conference.

Boni is one of the favorite players ever to wear the jersey of Aris by the fans of the greek team. He is known for his fiery personality and joining the fans of the team in their celebration. Boni has been loved like the fans like any other player, only second to the living legend of greek basketball, Nick Galis. This is prestigious addition to the administration of Aris.

Euroleague newcomer EWE Baskets Oldenburg continued its efforts to keep the core of last season's squad by re-signing big man Milan Majstorovic for two more seasons. Majstorovic (207, 26) was a key player last season as the club became German League champion for the first time. He averaged 7.4 points and 4 rebounds in 18 minutes per game in the regular season and increased his output to 9.5 points and 5.8 rebounds per game in the playoffs. Last season was his second at Oldenburg, which he joined from Bilbao Basket in Spain. Majstorovic previously played for FMP Zeleznik, with whom he reached the ULEB Cup semifinals and won the Adriatic League in 2004. He began his career at Spartak Subotica in his native Serbia.

Oldenburg also announced Wednesday that center Marko Scekic and shooting guard Marco Buljevic had exercised options to remain another season with the club. Scekic (205, 28) contributed 7.1 points and 3.4 rebounds in a reserve role off the bench last season, his first with the club. He previously played for PGE Turow in Poland, Vojvodina Novi Sad in Serbia, Banjalucka Pivara in Bosnia and A Plus ZS Brno BC in the Czech Republic. Buljevic (196, 22) saw limited action in his first season with the club last year. Oldenburg now has nine players from last season’s squad under contract.

According to redplanet.gr, Olympiakos are going to release greek/serbian point guard Igor Milosevic(1.93-PG). Coach Giannakis was not impressed with the performance of Milosevic and instead of him the world silver medallist youngster Kostas Sloukas(1.90-PG) will be promoted to the men's team of Olympiakos.

Milosevic began his professional career in 2003 with the Greek League club Iraklis Thessaloniki. After spending 3 seasons with Iraklis he moved to Red Star Belgrade in 2005. After spending 3 seasons with Red Star he moved to Olympiakos last summer. Milosevic has also been a member of the junior National Teams of Greece. He only managed to play 15 games in the A1 league this season, scoring 39 points, gathering 12 rebounds and dishing out 10 assists.

Maroussi BC announced via their official website the signing of greek point guard Marios Batis(1.88-PG) for the next season. Batis comes from the team of Olympia Larissa that is rumored to declare bankruptcy and in Maroussi he will find his former head coach from Olympia,Giorgos Bartzokas.

Batis started his career in Panionios and then played in Near East, Hlysiakos and finally in Olympia that he has been playing for the last few years. Last season he averaged 9 points 3.3 rebounds and 3 assists in 25 games in the Greek A1 League for Olympia.

Josh Childress, confirmed via the official website of Olympiakos, that he will be playing with the greek team in the next season. He confirmed that he has unfinished business as he stated in a newspaper of Atlanta and he reaffirmed that everything will be different in the next season.

He said that he is quite happy in Greece and that everyone ranging from the administration of Olympiakos, to the fans of the team have treated him very well and that he loved the time he spent in Greece. Things are expected to be different in the next season. The administration of Olympiakos and coach Giannakis are going to be more prudent selecting players for the roster of Olympiakos. The upcoming change in the number of foreign players in the Greek League also gives them something else to work with.

LAS VEGAS -- Eric Goodwin, agent for Nate Robinson, said the Knicks' 5-foot-7½ guard is considering an offer to play for the Greek team Olympiacos. Robinson's preference, however, is to stay in New York and the NBA, but he hasn't come close to signing an offer sheet anywhere. The Greek team may be willing to pay Robinson $5 million a year. Oddly, Knick president Donnie Walsh said yesterday he spoke to Robinson's agents, and that they never mentioned the Greek offer, which is telling.

"We will consider any team interested in Nate's services," Goodwin told The Post. "We have heard from the Greek team. They are very interested." The Knicks had been hoping that Robinson, a restricted free agent, would re-sign for the one-year qualifying offer of $2.8M, but they can offer him a one-year deal at any amount. The Knicks prefer not to sign Robinson to a long-term deal to protect their 2010 cap.

Coach Mike D'Antoni said earlier this week the Knicks are interested in Andre Miller only for the one-year, $5.8M midlevel exception, but that the Sixers PG is not yet interested in such a deal. Knicks continue to monitor the Carlos Boozer situation in Utah after the Jazz decided to trade the All-Star power forward who has one year left on his pact.

The Houston Rockets began the process of bolstering their frontline today, acquiring the rights to 6-11 center David Andersen in a trade with the Atlanta Hawks. In return for the Australian big man, Houston is sending cash and future considerations to Atlanta.

Andersen, 29, was originally selected by Atlanta in the second round (37th overall) in the 2002 NBA Draft. He joins the Rockets after spending the 2008-09 season with Regal FC Barcelona.

“David has been a winner with every team he has played for in Europe,” says Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey. “He is a very well-rounded player who possesses good offensive skills and a very good shooting touch for a big man. David is a versatile post player who should fit well in Coach (Rick) Adelman’s system.”

A native of Carlton, Victoria in Australia, Andersen averaged 11.1 points and 4.1 in helping FC Barcelona to the Euroleague Final Four this past season. He was also a member of Australia's men's basketball team during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Andersen averaged 6.5 points and 3.5 rebounds for the tournament.

Today Khimkiannounced the signing of lithuanian center, Robertas Javtokas(2.11-C) via their official website. There were rumors about the transfer a week ago and there were also rumors about Javtokas talking to CSKA. He will be a player of Khimki for next 2 seasons and replacing Macej Lampe that went to Maccabi and will be completing the front line along with Jorge Garbajosa.

Javtokas played for Dynamo Moscow last season but due to financial problems of the russian team he will not be renewing with them. He has also played in the past for Lietuvos Rytas and Panathinaikos but they ended their contract mutually and he signed with Dynamo Moscow. Javtokas played with in the russian Superleague and the Eurocup. He averaged 8.2 points 6 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 24 games in Russia, also he averaged 11.9 points and 6.3 rebounds in 13 games in the Eurocup.

Zalgiris Kaunasannounced the renewal of the contract of small forward Dainius Salenga(1.97-SF) for another season. Salenga has played for Zalgiris Kaunas throughout his career with 2 seasons in between (2005-2007) that he played for Girona. He will have to fill the gap that the absence of Maciulis has created and they're not easy shoes to fill.

Salenga made statements on the official website of Zalgiris saying that he is quite happy to continue his career in Zalgiris as he is quite familiar with the environment of the team and the people in it. He also said that he is very happy to play in front of all the fans of Zalgiris. He averaged 11.4 points 3.1 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 10 games in the Euroleague.

Apparently Olympiakos is targeting Nate Robinson with a boatload of cash. As they did a season ago with Josh Childress, the Greek team is hoping to sign Robinson as another ticket-seller, who would easily be a bigger star there.

According to the story Olympiakos may also consider a run at Ramon Sessions, who is a restricted free agent with the Bucks.

European teams can sign restricted free agents from the NBA with no compensation. But the NBA team does maintain the player's rights.

The Knicks might actually have no problem with Robinson taking the Greek offer, mainly because not have to pay him and still could use him as a trade asset. Coincidentally, Robinson has been in Europe making appearances at basketball camps. He is an immensely-popular NBA player who might be the type to strike it rich in Europe as a fan attraction. But he is also the type that would likely prefer to remain in the NBA.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

According to prasinanea.gr, Panathinaikos gave a deadline to Sarunas Jasikevicius in order to answer to their offer. The deadline expires at the end of this week and this might mean that the greek team have found his replacement either as another bosman player or an import player.

It seems that Jasikevicius doesn't have a better offer than the one from Panathinaikos and that he is trying to gain either more money or a 2-season closed contract. The general consensus is that Jasikevicius would like to stay with Panathinaikos. The article says that there was also an offer from Malaga but it's nowhere near the offer that Panathinaikos have made.

According to lrytas.lt, Bojan Popovic(1.91-PG) will be a player of Lietuvos Rytas for the next season. The article says that the management of the team and the serbian point-guard have to an agreement that will be announced soon.

Popovic signed a contract with Malaga in 2007 but he only played for them for one season. After that he was given to Bruesa on loan. He started his career in FMP Zelzenik and he has also played for Dynamo Moscow winning the Uleb Cup with them. This past season he averaged 6.6 points 1.9 rebounds and 2 assists in 30 games in the ACB.

Efes Pilsen announced via their official website the signing of Bostjan Nachbar(2.06-SF/PF) the slovenian forward, previously of Dynamo Moscow. The deal is for one season. The general manager of Efes Pilsen, Engin Özerhun, said that that Nachbar is a great player and that his combined NBA and Europe experience will help Efes Pilsen greatly in the next season.

Nachbar started his career in KK Maribor and moved on to the young team of Olimpia Lubljana where he played until 2000. He also played for Benetton Treviso, Houston, New Orleans, New Jersey and his last team was that of Dynamo Moscow. As a player of Dynamo this season, he averaged 16.2 points 4.5 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 24 games of the Russian Superleague and 16.1 points 4.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 16 games of the EuroCup.

DKV Joventut reached an agreement with center Antonio Bueno, who inked a two-year deal with the club. Bueno (209, 28) arrives from Alta Gestion Fuenlabrada, where he averaged 11.6 points and 4.1 rebounds in 32 Spanish League games last season. Bueno already played for Joventut from 2001 to 2003. He averaged 12.5 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in 10 ULEB Cup games in the 2002-03 season, in which Joventut made it to the semifinals.

Bueno has also played for Real Madrid, Estudiantes and Cajasol, as well as being a member of the Spanish national team. He helped Real Madrid to win the 2005 Spanish League title and make it to the 2004 ULEB Cup final, that the Whites lost against Hapoel Migdal Jerusalem. Bueno also helped Spain to win the 1999 World Junior Championships and reach the 2003 EuroBasket final.

Cantu Basket announced via their official website the signing of american power forward Maarty Leunen(2.06-PF). Maarty Leunen is currently playing with the Houston Rockets' team in theLas Vegas Summer League averaging 8.7 points 5 rebounds and 2 assists in the first 3 games.

Maarty Leunen graduated from the University of Oregon and in his last season with them he averaged 15.2 points 9.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 32 games. He also took part in the Las Vegas Summer League where he averaged 16 points 4.8 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 5 games for the Houston Rockets. Leunen can possibly acquire a dutch passport as both his parents have dutch roots. This past season he played in Darussafaka and he averaged 12.1 points 6.2 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 32 games.

Vule Avdalovic(1.91-PG) will be continuing his career in Alicante according to his agency's website. Avdalovic left Valencia this summer as he was not anymore in Neven Spahija's plans and there were rumors about him initially about signing with Lietuvos Rytas. Alicante will be the next stop in his career.

Avdalovic played for Partizan for the most part of his career before moving to Valencia. He has been playing for the spanish team for the last 4 seasons and he will be the starting point guard for Alicante in the next season. He averaged 8.3 points 1.8 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 12 games in the Eurocup for Valencia and also 6.2 points and 1.3 assists in 33 games for Valencia in the ACB for Valencia.

Kavala BC have booked serbian center Dragan Ceranic(2.12-C) according to his agency's website, beobasket.net. Ceranic will move to northern Greece after having a successful season with Kolossos BC in Rhodes.

He has also played in AEL and Panionios in Greece, whereas he played for Villeurbanne, Oostende and Varese in the rest of Europe. Ceranic brings experience and size to the table for Kavala that lost Kavaliauskas, who was their starting center. He averaged 7.3 points and 5.1 rebounds in 24 games this past season in the A1 league in Greece.

According to contra.gr and journalist Tasos Magoulas, Nate Robinson(1.75-PG) has been offered to Olympiakos despite his existing contract with the New York Knicks. Being a restricted free agent he could forego the last season of his contract that should get him 2.2 million dollars for a possibly larger contract if he were to sign with Olympiakos.

The Knicks have expressed their wish to renew his contract but at this stage it's anyone's game to say whether Robinson will stay in New York or move to Athens. Robinson had a great season with the Knicks averaging 17.2 points 3.9 rebounds and 4.2 assists in 74 games with the Knicks this past season.

Monday, July 13, 2009

According to most of the greek media, Josh Childress is going to stay for another season with Olympiakos. The american small forward decided not to take up the offer of the Milwaukee Bucks for 5.5 million dollars per season and decided to stay with Olympiakos and the 6.5 million dollars contract of his for next season.

Childress didn't want to Atlanta and since he couldn't get what he wanted in Milwaukee he decided to stay with Olympiakos. The greek team will now be changing their transfer targets and probably acquire an american point guard and power forward now that they can sign one more non-european player.

Armani Jeans Milano took another step forward in building its roster for the 2009-10 season with the signing of Jonas Maciulis, who agreed to a two-year deal. Maciulis (198, 24), nicknamed "The Bull" for his intensity and fighting spirit, was born in Kaunas and raised at Zalgiris, where he played the better part of his career to date. He averaged 14 points and 5 rebounds in 10 Euroleague games for that club last season.

In his four seasons as a full member of the Zalgiris first team roster, Maciulis helped the club to back back-to-back Lithuanian League titles in 2007 and 2008. Maciulis also lifted the Lithuanian Cup and the Baltic League titles in 2008. Maciulis led Zalgiris to victory at the first-ever edition of the Euroleague International Junior Tournament at the 2003 Final Four in Barcelona. He has also played for Nevezis Kedainiai. Maciulis is a regular member of the Lithuanian national team and has won a bronze medal at EuroBasket 2007 and reached the 2008 Olympic semifinals.

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